Slip-on sprig savers for football boots, a fashion app, a heated wetsuit, disposable toothpaste capsules and a study box were just some of the business ideas generated by students at the TGS Ignition Day hosted by Level One on the Devonport Wharf last weekend.

More than 30 Takapuna Grammar School Business Studies students from across a range of years took part in the second annual Ignition Day which saw groups of five matched with a local business entrepreneur.  The students initially generated three ideas per group which were then whittled down to one and they then presented their ideas to the team of judges which included Rudi Bublitz, Simon Lampen, Duncan Ledwith and Sinead Watson.

Former TGS students Louis Gordon-Latty of Glory League, Shaun Quincey of Genoapay and Jack Downs, the local representative on Auckland Council’s Youth Advisory Board, were all on hand to give advice and help provide inspiration.

Organiser Matt Yallop told the students as they went off to develop their pitches, “it’s all down to how you deliver it.  There are no rules”.

Emma Johnson, Head of Business Studies at TGS, said, “The students gained a huge amount from the day.  Not only did they have the privilege of being paired with a local entrepreneur for several hours, but they also learned how to develop an idea, validate it and then pitch it to a team of judges.  The experience the students gained was invaluable but we were also very impressed with the quality and creativity of ideas generated.”

Team Awards went to:

Most Compelling Play:  Aquatech team for their heated wetsuit, mentored by Tim Gelston.

Best Overall Pitch:  Soul Savers team for their Slip-on Sprig Savers for football boots, mentored by Anna Yallop

Most Improved Team:  Ninja Strike Force 7 team for their Fashion search app, mentored by Craig Norris

Photo names – left to right

Most Compelling Play:  Aquatech mentored by Tim Gelston.

Knight Hou (Spark), Amanda Hunter, Nate Coyne, Zoe Raines, Matt O’Reilly, Tim Gelston

Best Overall Pitch:  Soul Savers mentored by Anna Yallop

Hunter Rush, Milly Pearson, Shannon Blackhall, Anna Yallop, Abby Harris

Most Improved Team:  Ninja Strike Force 7 mentored by Craig Norris